Adding 3D graphics to rich Internet applications (RIA) may entertain consumers, but what business value can they possibly have for enterprise service-oriented architecture (SOA) applications?

An answer comes from Adobe System Inc. with today's announcement of Adobe LiveCycle Enterprise Suite (ES) Update 1, which puts Flash technology to work for businesses ranging from insurance to manufacturing. Adobe LiveCycle PDF Generator 3D ES is used in manufacturing for generating CAD files with detailed engineering specification, said Brian Wick, Adobe's director for the LiveCycle product, which makes use of the Adobe Flash Player and Adobe Reader on the end user's desktop.